Escape 1902

Paul Gauguin created 'Escape' using oil on canvas, a common material for European painting, yet his approach was anything but conventional. Gauguin laid down strokes in planes that are not fully blended, drawing attention to the physical qualities of the paint. Note how the thickness and direction of the brushstrokes help to define the figures and the surrounding landscape, while the texture and opacity of the paint add depth and intensity to the colors. It's a deliberate emphasis on the materiality of the painting. His technique embraces a connection to the land that reflects a desire to escape the industrialized world. In that sense, the way that Gauguin handled his materials also connects to social issues of labor and cultural identity. It's an approach to his work that challenges our traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.